THE HISTORY
It is thought that the pasty may have started life as a ‘packed lunch’ for Cornish miners, comprising of meat, potato, onion and seasoning, all wrapped in a filling pastry crust, providing a complete nourishing meal. The thick crimp along the edge was ideal for eating on the go, as it meant the miner did not have to stop to wash the dirt off his hands, but could simply throw the crust away when he had finished.
THE SUPERSTITIONS
Miners who were superstitious about dangers such as cave-ins and poisonous gases were reassured that by leaving these crusts out to appease the malevolent spirits they believe inhabited the deep mine-shafts, so that they could work in safety.
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